3 in 1 font from Thatchers, Krombacher Pils cans hit on-trade

Thatchers unveils unique three-in-one bar font

Thatchers Cider has launched its new ‘3 in 1 Fusion Font’, which is available to on-trade operators now.

The company said this a first for the cider industry and brings the choice of three infused premium fruit flavoured ciders to the bar in one single font.

With one font dispensing three ciders, from one keg and through one line, the 3 in 1 Fusion Font is claimed to use less cellar and bar space than three separate lines, meaning lower maintenance, less space and more choice.

“This is world-leading innovation – a first for Thatchers and a first for the industry,” said Martin Thatcher, fourth generation at the independent Somerset cider maker. “We’re introducing a unique dispense system that will add to consumer experience at the bar.”

At the point of pouring, the font infuses a micro measure of the selected fruit flavour into a pint of Thatchers premium apple cider, creating one of three freshly mixed ciders. As the cider is being dispensed through the font, it delivers a unique sensory experience of flavour and aroma.

The flavours available are Thatchers Cloudy Lemon, which is making its appearance in the on-trade for the first time, Thatchers Dark Berry and another new variant in Thatchers Blood Orange.

Thatchers on-trade director Rob Sandall said: “This is an amazing innovation that brings together the biggest flavour trends in food and drink to the bar in one font.

“With half of all fruit cider in the on-trade sold on draught, this pioneering technology with Fusion Font opens up brand new theatre to the bar, allowing operators to tap into fresh opportunities and offer drinkers exciting experiences, such as cider cocktails.”

Krombacher rolls out Pils cans to pubs

German beer brand Krombacher has launched its Pils variant in 330ml cans specifically for pubs and the wider on-trade ahead of spring and summer.  

The independent, family-run business has been producing beer exclusively in the small town of Krombach, in the Siegerland Hills of Westfalia, central Germany, since 1803.

Krombacher director for sales and marketing in the UK & Ireland Stephan Kofler said: “Our Pils has become a mainstay in quality on-trade establishments and leading retailers so with the ever-growing trend for cans, it was only right we rolled out this new SKU (stock keeping unit). 

“The desire for our authentic, natural, full-flavoured beers from retailers, pubs, restaurants, hotels and most of all consumers is continuing to grow and we are confident that this thirst for quality and real German provenance will only increase further as 2022 heats up.” 

Krombacher Pils is a 4.8% ABV golden beer “with an aroma beautifully balanced between hops and malts”, according to the company. It is available immediately through Manchester-based importer and distributor Morgenrot in cases of 24 with a list price of £27.18.

The business registered its most successful year in the UK in 2021, after first launching more than 30 years ago in 1990. Its volume sales increase by 30% across both the on and off-trade versus 2020 figures. Even when compared to the pre-Covid 2019 figures, the 2021 sales still represents growth of just under 10%.

Krombacher now has more than 300 draught taps in operation in the UK.

Black Sheep Brewery marks 30th year with calendar of seasonal beers

Yorkshire-based Black Sheep Brewery has released its annual 2022 cask beer calendar, detailing the limited-edition ales that will be launched each month.

This year marks the brewery’s 30th anniversary, and to commemorate the milestone, Black Sheep has chosen a blend of classic British beers and modern, craft styles as part of its limited edition 2022 releases.

The brewery has also chosen to bring back fan favourites such as Velo and Blitzen while Pathmaker – a beer inspired by the founder and original ‘black sheep’ Paul Theakston – is making a return too.

Others on the calendar include Finisher, an English Pale Ale brewed in support of England’s attempt to regain the Six Nations rugby championship, for February.

West Coast IPA Adventurer will mark June as a beer loaded with hops from the hills of California and October will see Astronomer, a rich chocolate porter brewed using a blend of tasty dark and chocolate malts, ready for the dark autumn nights.

Black Sheep Brewery chief executive Charlene Lyons said: “We’ve worked hard to develop a series of seasonal cask beers that we think our customers will love, and that perfectly encapsulate both the time of year as well as the Black Sheep ethos.”

Black Sheep’s seasonal cask ales will be available to on-trade customers in pubs across the country. The release of the seasonal calendar marks the first in a number of activities the brewery has planned to celebrate its 30th anniversary, with more events and campaigns due to be announced soon.  

Sandford Orchards teams up with Darts Farm to launch rosé cider

Devon-based Sandford Orchards has launched Katja Rosé (8% ABV) cider in collaboration with Darts Farm.

The sparkling skin contact rosé cider is crafted from the dessert apple Katja with Rondo grapes from Darts Farm’s Pebblebed Vineyard and will be available nationwide from early February in 750ml bottles with an RRP of £10.40.

Sandford Orchards chief cider-maker Barny Butterfield said: “We were overwhelmed by the response we received to the original Katja we launched last year. This encouraged us to create Katja Rosé, a sumptuous sparkling cider produced using the Martinotti method and inspired by the fresh Proseccos of Venezia.

“This has also been an exciting opportunity for us to collaborate with our great friends at Darts Farm. The Rondo grapes used to create the wonderful pink tint to Katja Rosé were grown at Darts Farm’s Pebblebed Vineyard, just outside Exeter. We are delighted that we are now able to call Darts Farm our second home, with the recent unveiling of our new small batch cidery there.”

Katja Rosé is said to be a fresh and fruity cider that tastes of sun-ripened cherries and peaches with hints of apple blossom and candyfloss, balanced with tannins from the wineskins. The addition of the Rondo grapes bestows wine notes and an unmistakable rosé finish to the cider. Sandfords said it retains the fresh drinkability of a Katja cider but with added fruit and gentle complexity.

Inginious Gin launches concentrated spirit

Distillery Inginious Gin has launched a concentrated gin spirit that allows pubs to serve smaller measures but still at a 43% ABV strength.

Formulated alongside spirits experts at Sloemotion Distillery in North Yorkshire, Inginious Gin has 10 times the flavour concentration meaning you only need a small amount to create the perfect serve.

Developed to partner perfectly with a non-alcoholic mixer such as tonic, this distillate is packed full of botanicals such as juniper, coriander and a citrus blend of lemongrass, grapefruit and lime.

A 5ml serve, compared to the standard 50ml double serve of gin, diluted with 150ml of a non-alcoholic mixer such as tonic is claimed to be the perfect combination, resulting in only 0.2 units of alcohol per serve. A 5ml measuring spoon has also been designed and comes with each.

Inginious founder Simon Liddle said: “For the past two years, I have been looking to cut down on alcohol for health reasons. After struggling to find a tasty, low-alcohol gin, I set about creating a concentrated gin product like no other. With an aim of reducing the stigma surrounding lower alcohol drinks, Inginious Gin ensures that foregoing more traditional gins is a surprisingly simple choice.”

Inginious Gin has an RRP of £26 for a 20cl bottle.

If you have any new products that are being released to the on-trade, email the details with high resolution images before Thursday at midday for potential inclusion on Friday’s article to tnel.yyblq@jeoz.pbz​​​​​​​​​​​.